Planning and Development

The Land Use Bylaw regulates the size, height, setbacks, and maximum site coverage for accessory buildings, including detached garages, carports, and sheds.

A development permit and a building permit are required for accessory buildings with an area greater than 10m². Permits can be applied for with Planning & Development Services, located on the 2nd floor of City Hall. When applying for permits please provide:

• Accessory Building application
• Site plan showing the proposed location of the accessory building. Distance from side and rear property lines, existing structures, easements and utility right-of-ways must also be included in the drawing
• All required application fees

Accessory buildings with an area less than 10m² that adhere to the Land Use Bylaw do not require a development permit. However, all accessory buildings are to be no less than 1.0m from property lines and no less than 2.0m from other structures on the property.

View more information in our Accessory Buildings brochure.

Compliance Certificates

The Development Authority issues a letter of compliance to existing buildings or structures when the development complies with the Land Use Bylaw. View the Compliance Certificate application.

View the fees for a compliance certificate.

View more information in our Compliance Certificates brochure.

Real Property Report

We require a Real Property Report (RPR) from an Alberta Land Surveyor. If the RPR is greater than 1 year old, you must include a verified Statutory Declaration from the registered owner.

The Development Authority will notify you if the subject property does not comply with the Bylaw and the steps necessary to ensure compliance.

Deck Permits

You require a deck permit if you are building an uncovered deck more than 0.60m above the ground.

What is required for an uncovered deck permit?

• Uncovered Deck Permit application
• 2 copies of the site plan showing the proposed location of the deck. Distance from side and rear property lines, existing structures, easements and utility right-of-ways must also be included in the drawing
• Drawings showing the dimensions of deck including length, width and height
• All required application fees

View more information in our Deck Permits brochure.

Regulations

You must build a deck within your property and with the required setbacks set out in the Land Use Bylaw. You cannot build a deck over an easement, utility right-of-way, or gas meter and/or gas shut off.

Design Standards

Design Standards are available on request from our Engineering Department at 780.672.4428 or engineer@camrose.ca.

A development permit and building permit are required for detached secondary suites (also known as garage suites or garden suites). Detached Secondary Suites are permitted on corner lots and lots with a lane. 

View more information in the Detached Secondary Suite brochure or view the requirements outlined in the Land Use Bylaw. 

What is required to be submitted for a detached secondary suite application?

• Completed detached secondary suite application
• All required application fees
• Site Plan which includes proposed parking

• Building plans showing floor plans, all elevations, windows, and perspective relationship of the proposed building to adjacent buildings.

Development Permits

The City of Camrose regulates the setbacks from property lines, height of buildings, site coverage, landscaping and property uses. The regulations for your property depend on your property zoning. Please see our Land Use Bylaw and our Development Permits brochure for more information.

Single family/duplex/secondary suite package

For a single family dwelling, duplex, secondary suite, and/or addition (including covered deck), please view the following:

• Single family development application
• Single family development requirement checklist
• Single family development package

Commercial/industrial/institutional/multi-family dwelling package

For Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, or Multi-family dwelling (triplex, fourplex, apartment) development, please view the following:

• Commercial and multi-family development application
• Commercial and multi-family development requirement checklist
• Commercial and multi-family development additions
• Commercial and multi-family development application package 
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Assessment

View more information in the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design brochure.

View the development permit fees.

Fence Permits

If you are either building a new fence on a property and/or replacing an old or current fence on an existing property, you need a fence permit.

What is required for a fence permit?

• Fence Permit Application
• A copy of the site plan showing the proposed location of the fence
• All required application fees

View more information in our Fence Permits brochure.

Regulations

The Land Use Bylaw regulates materials your fence is made out of, maximum height of your fence, and sight triangles. A residential fence can be as high as 1.0m in the front yard, and 1.8m in the rear yard. Fences must be fully contained on your own property and cannot encroach onto City property. View more details in the Land Use Bylaw.

Corner lots and required sight triangles

When building a fence on a corner lot, it is important to be aware of the sight triangle requirements. Sight triangles are required to ensure that sufficient sight lines are maintained to provide visibility for pedestrian and vehicle safety.

Recent Approvals

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Development Permit Approvals

* For information on approval of Fence Permits, please contact Planning & Development at 780.672.4428.

The Development Authority has 20 days after application receipt to determine if an application is complete. If no decision is made within 20 days or within an agreed time period, the application is deemed complete.

A Notice of Decision must be made within 40 days of the deemed completion date.

Appeals: The time period for appealing a decision is 21 days from the decision date. The appeal period for persons who are affected by a development permit is 21 days after the notice date of the permit.

Subdivision Approvals

DEVELOPMENT APPEALS:

The time period for appealing a decision on a development application is 21 days from the date the decision is made. 

The appeal period for persons who are affected by a development permit is 21 days after the date on which the notice of the issuance of the permit was given.

SUBDIVISION APPEAL:

An Appeal on a subdivision application must be filed within fourteen (14) days of the date of receipt. The date of receipt is seven (7) days from the date the decision was mailed.

Redistricting (Rezoning) Applications

If you want to redistrict a property, we need to review the Land Use Bylaw amendment with Council for approval. The Land Use Bylaw regulates development in the City of Camrose. It determines how you can use land within districts. View more information in our Redistricting brochure.

What is required for a Redistricting Application?

• Redistricting/Rezoning Application
• Reasons in support of the redistricting
• Information in support of your application (drawings, etc.)
• Any applicable fees for application, mailout and advertising.

Redistricting Process

1. Pre-redistricting meeting (if necessary)
2. Submission of application
3. First reading of bylaw by Council
4. Circulation to referral companies and adjacent owners
5. Public open house (if required)
6. Second reading, public hearing by Council
7. Third reading by Council

If you are curious about the zoning of a property, view our Land Use Map.

Seasonal Outdoor Patios

View the Seasonal Outdoor Patio Policy here.

View the Application Form here.

Boulevard Patios

Boulevard Patio means a directly adjacent accessory use to a business establishment located on the ground floor outside of a building occupying portions of Public Lands.

On-Street Patios

On-Street Patio means a Patio constructed on a roadway portion of Public Land.

Private Property Patios

Private Property Patio means a Patio installed within a defined area, within the boundaries of Private Lands.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to any Patio with a total of two (2) tables and/or four (4) chairs or less.

What is required for a Patio Application?

The following items are to be submitted with your application:

1. Valid City of Camrose Business License;
2. Confirmation of the existing business complying with Alberta Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis; if applicable;
3. Concept Plan which includes:
   • proposed Patio location and materials;
   • entrance and exits and temporary landscaping, fencing/barriers to identify boundaries of Patio;
   • location of tables and chairs;
   • expected occupant load;
   • garbage receptacles;
   • signage;
   • existing driveways, loading zones, trees, benches, bus zones, parking meter posts, street lamps, and fire department connections; and
   • any other information determined by the Development Authority.
4. Copy of Certificate of Liability Insurance;
5. If the applicant is not the building owner, a letter from the property owner, or their appointed agent, authorizing the Applicant’s patio development;
6. Current photos of the Business Frontage, Furniture Zone, and Pedestrian Zone; and
7. Letters of support are required from adjacent businesses and landowners when developing an On-Street Patio or Boulevard Patio that expands beyond the effective frontage of the business. These letters are optional, but a suggested courtesy, when not expanding beyond effective frontage.

View the Seasonal Outdoor Patio Application Process here.

View more information in our Seasonal Outdoor Patio Brochure here.

Sign Permits

A sign permit is required if you are:

• placing a new sign on a building or property
• replacing an old or current sign on an existing building
• changing the size of an existing sign

What is required for a sign permit?

• Sign Permit Application
• Two copies of drawings showing the design and dimensions of the sign and structure
• Two copies of the site plan showing the proposed location and distance from property lines
• All required application fees

Subdivision

A subdivision is the division of a parcel of land into two or more lots. Each lot is given a separate title. A subdivision is also used for a lot line adjustment on an existing property. View more information in our Subdivision brochure.

Meet with us first

It is important to meet with Planning and Development to discuss your proposed development to ensure that it corresponds with current area structure plans and minimum subdivision requirements set out in our Land Use Bylaw.

What is required for a Subdivision Application?

See our subdivision checklist outlining what you need to provide with your application. View our subdivision fees for cost of application, mailouts, advertising and endorsement.

Subdivision Application Process

1. Pre-subdivision meeting
2. Subdivision Application
3. Circulation to referral companies and adjacent owners
4. Subdivision authority meeting
5. Decision
6. Endorsement
7. Registration

Subdivision Extension Process

An extension request application can be forwarded to planning@camrose.ca. Extension fees are required in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw.  

Regulations

The Municipal Government Act – Section 653 regulates subdivisions. Subdivision applications are reviewed by the Subdivision Approving Authority which consists of three members of the City of Camrose staff. The Director of Subdivision Authority is the Director of Planning and Development and other members include the City Manager and the City Engineer, or any of their delegates.